Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale

Prof. Dr. Piotr Bregestovski
101 Rue de Tolbiac
75654 Paris
France

Mediterranean Institute of Neurobiology (INMED) is one of the largest neuroscience centres of the French Medical Research Council (INSERM). The research aims of INMED are to study brain development, plasticity and brain disorders that are often initiated during brain maturation — notably epilepsies, ischemic strokes, Parkinson’s disease, hyperekplexia and other major neurological disorders. Different teams study various aspects of neurophysiology including: synaptic activity and maturation of neuronal networks; molecular physiology of receptor-operated ion channels; generation and propagation of seizures in the developing brain; molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal cell death; activity-dependent synapse formation and synaptogenesis in maturing brain.

The team of molecular physiology of receptor-operated ion channels (Bregestovski) applies the techniques of electrophysiology, fluorescent microscopy and molecular biology to study function of chloride-selective Cys-loop channels. Particular focus is on developing BioSensors of Cys-loop receptors for non-invasive monitoring their activity and high throughput drug-receptor studies. In the context of Neurocypres the team of Bregestovski will work closely with Gross(partner 10), Smart (partner 11) and Corringer(partner 7) on developing of BioSensors for Cl–selective channels and its bacterial Cys-loop homologs. Also in collaboration with Becker’s team (partner 4), glycine receptor mutations in hyperekplexia will be studied for understanding the structural basis of ligand gated ion channel dysfunction and its up-regulation. Next partner >